The community telecentres are used in many situations as tools to facilitate community learning, technology transfer and to tackle poverty on the ground. Gamos, in partnership with Big World (www.big-world.org) and commissioned by DIFD helped to start and support two such telecentres with the objective of evaluating a distinctive new content-led approach.

This project, funded by DFID and undertaken by Big World in collaboration with Gamos Ltd., aimed to assess the value of multimedia and Internet based resource creation and collaboration in extending the ability of training centres to train effectively. The focus was on centres responding to the needs of the poor; delivering training which improves employment opportunities and therefore the livelihoods of trainees and their communities.

The last five years have seen tremendous growth in telephone ownership and use in developing countries. But what impact has the telephone had on livelihoods  on how people live their lives, protect themselves against vulnerability and take opportunities for a more prosperous future? Gamos has been involved in a research project assessing the impact of the telephone on the lives of the rural poor in three developing countries  in the state of Gujarat in India; in Mozambique; and in Tanzania.

One of the key issues in promoting access for telephony and internet in Africa is the need for information about how new services are likely to be used by consumers - both citizens and small businesses. This research - based on a statistically valid sample of households in Botswana, Ghana and Uganda in 2002, applied across the whole country  takes the first step in providing this information.

As part of the independent assessment of CATIA, a household survey was conducted by Gamos in Senegal of over 650 households. The survey was designed to yield data on: How people are using communications, and what impact this has on their lives? Are households with greater access to ICT making use (i.e. take up the opportunity) of that access? Has this use enabled poor people (in Senegal) to gain (maximum) benefit from the opportunities offered by ICT? Furthermore is the increasing exposure to media and telecommunications improving health knowledge, attitude and behaviour?

This article presents findings from Gamos led research into the use of telecommunications services in African countries. The research is intended to address the lack of field data on customers in rural and low-income areas of Africa, and to inform policymakers, private-sector service providers, and the donor community about issues concerned with universal access.

Throughout the world, Mobile phones and the internet are increasingly a part of people's lives. The promise of these technologies aiding development is beginning to be realised. In this report Gamos, together with its project partners, presents a comprehensive picture of the global mobile telephony landscape as it currently relates to advancing development. Analysis of the key examples of where mobile have proven effective, challenges to the use and development of mobiles and regional trends all point towards significant future opportunities.